Californian rockers No Doubt carved themselves out a pretty impressive career throughout the late 90's and early 00's. A huge worldwide Number 1 with 'Don't Speak', regular top twenty single releases, platinum album sales (or multi-platinum in the case of 'Tragic Kingdom') and various award nominations and wins saw the band catapulted to international stardom and the world of the household name.
After a long and very successful career, the band decided in late 2004 on a hiatus in order to pursue solo projects. Gwen Stefani obviously made the biggest impact with her solo career and her huge solo debut album 'Love. Angel. Music. Baby', not to mention enjoying her personal life having babies with hubby Gavin Rossdale. Having enjoyed a long break away from the band, the members of No Doubt got back together and back on the road in the summer of 2009, touring with the likes of Paramore, Katy Perry and Panic At The Disco. The band found some time to get back in the studio together and have now finally announced the release of their first new music in almost eleven years.
No Doubt's big comeback single is 'Settle Down', the first single release from new album 'Push and Shove' and a typical No Doubt track. Ska and reggae tinged sounds, head nodding beats and Gwen's signature vocals are a sure sign that the band are back. The song has an addictive, repetitive chorus that sticks in your head from first listen and for a die hard No Doubt fan, this won't disappoint. 'Settle Down' is like the band picking up where they left off, with the song almost sounding like a cast-off from the 'Rock Steady' sessions. You can take this one of two ways; either No Doubt know what works and have kept to their individual yet recognisable style, or eleven years down the line, the band haven't really moved on and are still making the same music.
Whichever way you look at it, this is a great pop-rock song. It doesn't break the mould or smash any boundaries, but it does what it says on the tin. It tells us that we know what to expect, the band don't fail to deliver the goods to their fans, and that us females have missed having someone as effortlessly cool as Gwen Stefani to look up to! Hopefully 'Settle Down' is the beginning of what will entice us back to No Doubt, with the new album potentially containing some classic gems for Gwen to pour her heart out into and for us to sing along into our hairbrushes pretending we just are that cool. 'Settle Down' is no 'Don't Speak', 'Just A Girl' or 'Hey Baby,' but it's sure to be a little teaser of what is to come. A very welcome return to a much missed band - No Doubt are back!
'Settle Down' is released on the 16th September and 'Push and Shove' is released on the 24th September.
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